Strap stretching and sealing apparatus



May 15, 1945. w. c. CHILDRESEQ EIAL 2,375,769v

STRAP STRETCHING AND SEALING APPARATUS I Filed Dec. 21, 1955 11 Sheets-Sheet 1 May IS, 1945. w. c. CHILDRESS ETAL' 2,375,769

STRAP STRETCHING AND SEALING APPARATUS l1 Sheets-Sheet 2 HQN g fizz/ ators; M Child/ass .fczxnes May 15, 1945. w. CQCHILDRESS EI'AL 2,375,769

7 STRAP STRETCHI NG AND SEALING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 21, 1939 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 15, 1945. w. c. CHILDRESS ETAL 3 ,7

7 STRAP STRETCHING AND SEALING APPARATUS 11 sheets-sheet 4 Filed Dec. 21, 1959 May 15, 1945.

W. C. CHILDRESS ETAL STRAP STRETCHING AND SEALING APPARATUS p Filed Dec. 21, 19:59

11 Sheets-Sheet 5 UQM Ma y15, 1945.

W. C. CHILDRESS ET AL STRAP STRETCHING AND SEALING APPARATUS l1 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 21, 1959 May 15, 1945. w. c. CHILDRESS ETAL 2,375,769-

STRAP STRET'CHING AND SEALING APPARATUS,

Filed Dec. 21, 1959 ll Sheets-Sheet 7 m% \N w NW & i C A. s mmifi A $2 QR l WWW .mmw Km 1 mm? mmm llllllllllmflg 3 I II E m I 41 Q I 4% A m A A M RS A A. I mwm May 15, 1945. w. c. CHILDRESS EIAL STRAP STRETCHING AND SEALING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 21, 1939 8 w. c. CHILDRESS ETAL 2,375,769

STRAP STRETCHING AND SEALING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 21, 1959 v 11 Sheets-Sheet 1o iii/(27720519;

Wilda/n G. Cxilarass m mg mm mm 1 m @QN May 15,1945. w. c. CHILDRESS ET AL 3 17 STRAP STBETCHING AND SEALING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 21, 1959 ll Sheets-Sheet ll mm W \K m m gm A Patented May 1945 STATES PATENT oF-FICE This invention relates toimprovements-m shap stretching :and sealing apparatus, and its purpose is toprovide improved means by ewhich a flexible binder, such as a flat or substantially :fiat

flexible steel strap, including zstrap havingla concaved cross. section, :may be :dravvniant :aroun'd a box or package, or abouta group ofsuch 1bects, and its overlapping ends :tiien united. by

meansof a sealer-the like. The present inven tion is an improvement upon those s'descriheii and claimed in United States Patents :Nos.

2,097,443, 2,0914%, 2,097.;945, 2,097,955 and 2,097,980 all granted onzNovember 2, 193.7. In generaL the prior patents iz eferredito disclose strap stretching and sealing apparatus in which opposite end portions of a strap passed around a packager-are held rby relatively movable gripping devices carried by the -.ba=se plate of the apparatus, which .-is adapted toe-seat upon :the package, these gripping devices being "capable of beingmoved toward each-other by the operation of a lever, after which a second lever is operated to move ia seal .into .engagement ivithlthe overlapping strap ends and then to deform thestrap ends and seal .to vprovigfie an interlocking joint. The seeds are supplied -.to the sealingheadifirom a storage magazine, being automatically fed therefrom .dur-ing the stretching operation,- 1161 the sealing lever. is so mounted-on the head... hat its initial movementrcuts off the strap: from the source or supply and moves the head to rposition the seal on the overlapping strap ends, "while .tiheusucceeding pivotal motion .of .the lever with respect to the head deforms .the strap and seal to pIOVide an interlocking Ejoint.

.TThe present invention has .ior its principal object to provide improved anparatusrof the type referredto which may be moreconveniently and efficiently operated and which is stronger and more .durable, so that .it fmay be it used with particular advantage ,ior uniting the ends of strap of heavy gauges, although not. limited .to such use. apparatus comprising improved means ior .cutting off the strap from the source of supply after it has been drawn taut, in .suc'h-amanner that the resulting strap end is locate'd'close to the seal so that 'there is no projecting strap .end on the outerside oithe boxjor package. Another object is to provideimproved strap sealing apparatus comprising a movable sealing head adapted'to apply a seal to the .overlapping; strap ends in combination with means for cutting iofi thestrap Tromthe source :of supply, the putting meansfbeing located in the 'path of movement Afurther object :is to provide strapsealing som head during the-cutting :operation but meing entomatieaklly movable from that pathfasfthe head approaehes the -strap ends. A .still further obiect'is to provide strap sealing apparatus come prising a head movable toward and iirom the strap trends and actuated by a lever having improved 'controllingtmeans for causing thexiiflitlal movement of the lever topmoveathe head'to place ai'se'al on the straprends :an'difor .icausing thefinal movement of the dever to actuate sealing jaws within the head. Another :object is to provide strap sealing apparatus comprisinga head movabletowardand from overlappingzstrap .ends and embodying relatively movable jaws adapted :to receivehetween them, when the head .is removed iromithe strapvends arseal whichlismoved from arseal :storage magazineibv improved feedingimeans. Afurther'oloiect is to provideistrap sealing apparatus comprising improved stretching-mechanismfer drawing a strap=taut around a box-(or packagathis stretching mechanism comprising relatively .movable gripping devices and actuating mechanism fora-moving these gripping dogs toadraw the strap taut in-combinajtion with anadditionalrgripping device adapted to holdthe supply portion of the strap between successive operations of the actuating mechanism so that a third gripping .dog .for holding the .supnlvend of the strap between successive operations of the stretching mechanism, said stretching mechanism embodying a lever which is connected to release two of said gripping devices from the strap when it is moved to apredeterrnin'ed position. Another object is to provide strapseaiing apparatus comprising a base plate adapted to end portions ofthestrap areadapted'toextend in combination with "gripping devices mounted seat upon the surface of 'abox'or package, {said base platehaving parts over whichthe opposite over the base plate for cooperating therewith to hold said portions of the strap and aretaining member adapted to prevent the removal of the strap ends laterally from their positions beneath thegripping dogs, said retaining mcn-iber and at least one of said 'gripping'dogs being automatically removed to inoperative positions by. a predetermined operationof mechanism whichis provided for effecting relative movement of the gripping dogs for the purpose of drawing the strap taut. Still another object is to provide strap stretching apparatus comprising improved means for mounting and actuating relatively movable gripping dogs by which the opposite end portions of a strap are held. Other objects relate to various features of construction and arrangement which will appear more fully hereinafter.

The nature of the invention will be understood 2 ends which are united by one form of interlocking joint adapted to be formed by the apparatus illustrated in Fig. .1, illustrating the upper endof the strap as being cut off in proximity to one end of the seal;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one form of channel-shaped metal seal adapted to be used with the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 shows an irregular horizontal section taken on the line 4- of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 shows an irregular horizontal section taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 shows a partial vertical section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 shows an enlarged vertical section on the line 17 of Fig. 4 illustrating the sealing head in its extreme elevated position in which it is adapted to receive a seal from the lower end of the magazine;

Fig. 8 shows an enlarged .horizontal section through the sealing jaws on the line 8-8 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical section similar to that of Fig. '7 showing the relative positions of the parts when the sealing lever has been actuated to lower the sealinghead and to actuate the jaws to form an interlocking joint of the type shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 shows a vertical section on the line Ill-ill of Fig. 7;

Fig. 11 shows a vertical section on the line llll of Fig. 7, illustrating the retaining member for holdin the strap ends over the base plate during the stretching operation;

Fig. 12 shows a vertical section on the line l2--l2 of Fig. 7,'illustrating the sealing jaws and the movable cutting blade in their elevated positions;

Fig. 13 is a partial sectional view, similar to that of Fig, 12, showing the relative positions of the parts after the sealing head has been lowered to cause a seal held between the jaws to engage the overlapping strap ends;

Fig. 14 is a vertical section taken on the line i l-l4 of Fig. 9, showing the relative positions of the parts illustrated in Fig. 12, after the sealing head has been lowered and the jaws have been, actuated to form an interlocking joint.

Fig. 15 shows a vertical section on the line l5-I5 of Fig. 9; Fig. 16 shows IB--l6 of Fig. 9; Fig. 17 shows l1ll of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the latch mema vertical section on the line a vertical section on the line ber illustrated in Figs. 9, 16 and 1'7, by which the seal feeding means is restrained from operating until the sealing head reaches its extreme upper position;

Fig. 19 is a partial enlarged front elevation of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1, with parts thereof broken away, showing by full lines the position of the'sealing lever'and associated parts after the sealing head has been lowered and before the jaws have been actuated to form an interlocking joint, and showing by dotted lines the relative positions of the sealing lever and associated parts after this lever has been operated to actuate the sealing jaws for the purpose of deforming the strap ends and the seal;

Fig, 20 shows a detail section taken on the line 20-20 of Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 shows a detail section taken on the line 2l- 2| of Fig. 19;

Fig. 22 shows a perspective view of the toothed pin on which the sealing lever is mounted;

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the bearing member engaged by one end of the pin illustrated in Fig. 22; V

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the cover plate which is mounted on the outer end of the bearing member shown in Fig. 28

Fig. 25 is a partial front elevation, similar to that of Fig. 1, showing a modified construction of the movable gripping dog which, in this form, is mounted upon an eccentric;

Fig. 26 is a top plan view of the modified construction shown in Fig. 25;

Fig. 27 is a vertical section, taken on the line 21-21 of Fig. 26, showing a front elevation of the gripping dog and the operating lever when the dog is in engagement with the strap;

Fig, 28 is a front elevation, similar to Fig. l,

with parts in vertical section, showing the relative positions of the parts when the movable gripping dog and the holding dog are both out of engagement with the strap;

Fig. 29 is an irregular vertical section taken on the line 29-29 of Fig. 27;

Fig. 30 is a perspective view gripping dog shown in Fig. 25;

Fig. 31 is a perspective view of the dog-operating lever and latch shown in Fig. 25; and

Fig. 32 is a perspective view of the pin on which the movable dog shown in Fig. 25 is eccentrically mounted.

As illustrated in the drawings, the invention comprises an integral frame having a base plate 25 adapted to seat'upon the surface of a box or package 26 about which a fiat flexible steel strap 21 is passed. The base plate 25 is provided with two forwardly projecting flanges 25 and 2'5 over which the free end portion 2'! of the strap extends, the strap bridging the gap 25 between these flanges which is the region in which the interlocking joint is subsequently formed. After passing around the box or package 26, the supply of the movable end portion 21 of the strap is carried over another flange 2t) which also rests upon the surface of the box or package 26 and which projects forwardly from a block 28 secured upon a sliding bar. .29 arranged to move on thebase plate parallel to the strap. The free end portion 2'! of the strap is adapted to be secured on the base flange 25 by a gripping dog 30 which is pivotally mounted on a pin 3! projecting in a forward direction releasewit 'fromits position beneath the 1 dog.

asvavee outer .end of the pin :31 and the gripping :rlogris H engage the uppersid'e of the end=portion 21 of the strap, this serrated portion being offset toward the right, as viewed in-Fig. 1, from :a vertical plane containin theaxis of the pivot pin 31 so that a pullupon the strap toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, will tend to tightenthe grip of the dog upon the strap, while a pull upon the strap .in the opposite direction will tend to gripping dog isprovided between thegripping surface 38 and the pin 3! with an inwardly 'ex tending inclined slot 30 through which the supplyiportion 21 of'thegstrap extends in passing from a reel or other source of supply. The gripping dog 30 has a handle 30 fitting over theinner end of the dog, as shown in Fig. i5, and'projecting endwise beyond the base plate so that it may be engaged by the fingersuof theoperator "for raising the gripping dog out of. contact with the strap end 2 1 against the compression of the spring 33;

The supply. portion 21 of the strap is adapted to be engaged onits upper side by a gripping'dog which is mounted on; the block-28 by which the flange 28 is carried. This gripping do is pivotally mountedupon a pin 36*which fits Within the bore of a hollow shaft31 by which thesliding bar 29, previously referred to, is actuated. As

shown in Fig. 5, the pin 36 hasa head 36* which fits against the outer face o'f thegripping dog *35, while the otherend thereof is engaged by a trans verse pin 38 which extends between two diametrically opposed lugs'31 projecting endwise from the extremity of the hdllowshaftf31. The spaces between the lugs 31 are such that a considerable angular movement of the shaft: "31 about the pin .36 is permitted without causing the transverse pin 38 to be engagedbythe lugs 31%asshownin Fig. 6. The gripping dog 3.5 is inclined downwardly and toward the left, as

viewedin Fig. l, and the lowerendthereofjis provided witha serrated surface 35 adapted "to engage the upper surface ofthe strap 21 Due to this inclination of the grippingdog,amovement of the gripping dogand of the block 28 inpa direction tending to tighten thestrap 21 about the box or package, causes thegripping dog to increase its grip upon the strap, while a movement of the block 28 in the reverse direction .tends to release the strap from the gripping "dog. A curved flange 28 is formed integrally with the block 28 and overlies the gripping dog,35,, thus providing acurved bearing surface forthe curved upper extremity 35 ofthe do-g. As shownlparticularly in 'Fig. 5, thegripping'dog isprovided between its front and rear edges with a transverse slot 35 adapted to receive a coil sprin .39 which is mounted around the pin .36 with one of its .ex-

tremities engaging the wall of the slot '35? and with the other extremity engaging a shoulderi28 formed on the flange 23 of the block 28 so that the spring tends normally tomove the gripping dog into engagement with the strap. The gr pping dog isnotched out on itsrflront side to proe videaflat transverse shoulder"35 whichis posi- The tioned opposite to the :flatface 238 which formed .on :one side .of the zhead 33 of :the rpin on which the gripping ."doglis mountedas shownlin Fig; '1. The :head .36 of 'thepinis .set into fthis notch and the shoulder 35* is spaced slightlyirom the that face 36 so that/a limited relative angularmovement :of the gripping dog with respect to :the pin "36 is permitted. 1 i

Referring 'now to the means for effecting relative movement of the gripping dogs 30 and -35, block 12 SWhich carries the gripping dog 35' is provided with a horizontally extending 'flangeor plate 28 which seats upon the sliding bar 2%, as shovvnparticularly in Figs. 4, 5 and 10. 'The'plate or fiange 28 has a longitudinally extending rib or key.28=formed on its under side to fit within-a longitudinal keyway 29 which is formed -in "the sliding bar, and the plate or flange 28 "is secured tothe bar by-rivets which extendupwardly.

from thexbar through apertures the plate. In

this'wayfthe block 28- has-a rigid connection with plate and partiallyby a block!!! which is'secured.

tothebase plate and has a flange overlying the upper edge of the sliding bar.- Lhe block '28is notched out to receive the block 40 andis adapted to move over this block All when the sliding bar'29 'is reciprocated. "Thebloclg 28 is further provided with a 'forwardly'projecting arm 28 locatedtothe right of the flange '28, as viewed in Fig. 1, and at a higher level sothatit overlies the strap'and prevents it from swingingupwardly awayfrom 'theflan'ge 28 i The reciprocation of the sliding "bar .29 is efiected throughthe'medium of a pinion 31 which isformed integrally with the hollow shaft 31, as

shown in Figs. 5 and 10. This pinion meshes with rack teeth lll which are formed on the block 40, previously referred to, so that when the shaft 31 is rotated the block28 and thebar 29 are moved longitudinally of the apparatus, that is, parallel to the strap .21. The shaft 31 is journaled atone end in a bushing' ll which is mounted in an aperture formed in the block 28 and the other end thereof is mounted in a bushing 42 which is mounted in a bearing block 43 secured to the plate 28 of the block'ZB by means of socket screws 44. fAscrew 44 engages the block 43 to preventtheremoval of thepin 38, as shown in Fig.10, and the flange of the base plate which overlies the rear edge of the bar'29 is 1101301186. Ollt t0 permit the block 43 to be 'inserted axially over the end of the shaft '31 and the bushing. The lugs 3.1 on the shaft, which were previously referred to, project beyondthe bearing block 43, as shown in Fig. 5. The shaft 31 is rotated in these bearings by the stretching lever 45 which is provided at its outer end with a spherical handle portion 45* and which is provided at its'inner end with a hub portion 45 having a central bore of rectangular cross section which 'is fitted by the correspondingly shaped portion 31 of the shaft, thus providinga driving connection between the lever and the shaft so that when the shaft is oscillated .in a plane extending parallel to the strap 21, the shaft 31 is moved angularly about the pin 35 and the bar 29 is caused to move longitudinally on the base plate. As shown in Fig. 10, the Portions of the pin 36 which are engaged by. the spring 39 and which lie 'Withinthe jportions '31? ndfa'ls iting the frictional resistance to the turning of the shaft about the pin on which the gripping dog is mounted. When the lever 45 is moved toward the left from the position shown in Fig. 1, the bar 29 moves in the same direction, thus causing a movement of the gripping dog 35 toward the gripping dog 30, with a resulting stretching of the strap 27 around the box or package 26. Inasmuch as the gripping dog 35 tends to release itself from the strap upon movement of the block 28 toward the right, as shown in Fig. 1,,

which the gripping dog 35 is mounted, is so posi- :1;

tioned with respect to the lugs 31* extending endwise from the shaft 3'! that, as the lever 45 approaches the extreme right-hand position shown in Fig. 1, these lugs engage the pin 38 and rotate the pin 36 with the shaft 31, with the result that the head 36 of the pin 36, engagin the shoulder 35 on the gripping dog, causes the gripping dog to be lifted out of engagement with the strap portion 21' against the tension of the coil spring 39, thus automatically releasing the strap from the gripping dog upon an extreme movement of the lever 45 so that the strap may be passed from its position beneath the grippin dog after it has been drawn taut. Q

In addition to the gripping dogs 30 and 35, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a third gripping dog 4'! which is pivotally mounted upon the outer end of a pin 48, as shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 15. The pin 48 is secured in the upwardly extending frame portion 25 which is formed integrally with the base plate 25 and the lower end of this gripping dog'is provided with a serrated surface 47 which is adaptedto co-act with that portion of the upper side of the strap portion 2'! which rests upon a flange 25 formed integrally with the flange portion 25 and extending in a forward direction over the flange 25 and above the strap end 27*, as shown in Fig. '7. The gripping dog 41 is inclined downwardly and toward the left, as viewed in Figs. 1

and '7, so that a movement of the supply portion 21 of the strap toward the right,.as viewed in these figures, causes this dog to increase its grip upon the strap, while upon movement of the strap in the other direction, the gripping dog 41 will tend to release its grip upon the strap so that the strap may slide freely beneath it. The gripping dog 4'! is normally moved into engagement with the strap portion 2! above the flange 25 by a coil spring 49 which is mounted around the pin 48 within a notch 41" formedin the upper side of the gripping dog, as illustrated in Fig. 15. One end of this spring engages the flange 25 of the base plate and the other end engages the bottom of the notch 47 as shown in Fig. '7, so that the spring is normally moved toward the flange 25 This gripping dog is capable of being moved out of engagement with the strap, simultaneous- 1y with the release of the gripping dog 35, upon movement of the stretching lever 45 to the extreme right-hand position, shown in Fig. 1, this release of the gripping dog being effected bya pin or lever 56, shown particularly in Fig. 15. This lever is provided at its forward end with a spherical extremity 59 which is adapted to rock within a socket 41 formed in the rear side of the gripping dog near its lower edge and, at an intermediate point, the pin or lever 55 is provided with a rounded bearing portion 50* which is adapted to rock within an aperture formed in the upwardly extending frame portion 25 of the base plate. The rear portion 56 of the pin or lever 50 projects over the slidin bar 29, as shown in Figs. 4 and 15, and when the sliding bar 29 reaches a predetermined position, this portion of the lever 50 is adapted to be engaged by an actuating pin 5| which is resiliently mounted in arecess in a bearing block 52 secured to the upper side of the sliding bar 29 by means of socket screws 53. A coil spring 54 surrounds the stem of the pin 5| within the block and this stem, extending through an opening at the end of the recess, is engaged by lock nuts 55*. The bearing pin is retained in its position engaging the socket in the grippin dog 41 and the bearing 25 in the frame structure by a flange 25 which extends upwardly from the flange which overhangs the rear edge of the bar 29. When the gripping dog 35 is moved out of en agement with the strap by swinging the stretching lever 45 to its extreme right-hand position, as viewed .in

Fig. 1, the gripping dog 41 is simultaneously moved out of engagement with the portion 21 of the strap by the engagement of the pin 5| with the pin ,or lever 50. The gripping dog 41 may thus be elevated to permit the removal of the supply end of the strap after the part previously passed around the box or package has been cut off by the operation of the cutting mechanism hereinafter described, in order that the supply end may be placed beneath the gripping dog 30 in readiness for strapping another box or package. The spring 54 causes the plunger 5| to pro-' ject normally a considerable distance from the right end of the block 52 and is of sufiicient strength to cause the pin 5|] to operate the gripping dog 4'! except when the teeth of the dog are biting into a strap which is under tension when the dog 41 is engaging a strap under tension, and also when the dog has beenelevated by the first engagement of the pin 5| with the pin 55, the spring 54 permits a continued movement of the bar 29 for offsetting a further elevation of the dog 35. During the operation of drawing a strap taut, the gripping dog 41 serves as a take-up device for holding the strap between successive stretchin operations of the reciprocating gripping dog 35. Upon each movement of the dog 35 toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, the strap, being relatively stifi", is adapted to slide beneath the gripping dog 41. During the operation of drawing a strap taut, the lever 45 is not moved to the extreme position shown in Fig. l where it causes both of the gripping dogs 35 and 41 to release the strap.

The apparatus is provided with means for holding the strap ends in their proper overlapping relationship while the strap is being drawn taut around the package. This retaining means is shown particularly in Figs. 1, .5, 7, 9 and ll and comprises a hook member 55 which is pivotally mounted'on a pin 56 secured in the walls of a which receives the inner edges of the overlapping portions 21 and 27 of the strap. The lower edge of the flange 25 is inclined downwardly and inwall 6UP oitthe: seal; The final act of the sealing wardly to facilitate; the. insertion of-' the strap v operation-effected: by the jaws of thesealing head ends. to their proper positions. When. thusinserted, the downwardly extending projection 55 at the end of the. retaining member isadapted to prevent withdrawal of thestrap ends, the member' 55-being normally forced. downwardly to the strap: retaining position shown. in Fig. 11, by meansof a. coil spring 5111 which is mounted in a recess 25 formed in the flange 25 and which bears, against the upper side of the member. 55

The member: 55 is provided: rearwardly of the pivot pin 56. with a pin 55 which projects into the path of a cam 58 secured'by' a rivet .59 on the sliding bar 29. As shown in Figs. 6 and 11, the cam 58 is provided with: an inclined surface 58 which isadapted to engage and depress the arm 55 of the retainingmember. thus-elevating' the body portion of. the: retaining member against the compression of: the springv 51 until it is; in such at position that the overlying strap ends may be freelyremoved: from their positions above the flange 25 The cam 58 1s preferably so located. on the. sliding bar 2192 thatthe elevation of the retainingmember 55 iswefiectedlsimultaneously withwthe-elevation of the gripping dogs 35and 41. i i v Having described?themeansby-whichthe strap is, drawn taut around the box or package, reference will now be made to the means by which the strap is out off from the" source:- of. supply and a seal is applied to theoverlapping strap ends. The seal employed with the: apparatus is preferably the channel-shaped metal body'zfifi, shown in Fig. 3, whichcomprises aback wall (ill and side walls (ill which diverge from the back wall and which arepreferably providedi midway between their: ends with punched projections, 60 which serve to provide; point-to-point contacts between the sidewalls of adjacent seals when a plurality of seals is arranged in. nested relationship in a stack. The back' wallgof the seals are preferably provided withapertures filliso that when a stack of seals: is-formed, the sealslmay'be temporarily secured together by a piece ofwire or thelike inserted through the registering. apertures and having its ends bentitransversely so thatlthe stack may be placed bodily inthe magazine of the sealing tool,after which the connecting wire is withdrawn. to permit the seals to be fed successively into thesealing apparatus.

point-to-point contact betweenl the side wallshof adjacent seals provided by the. projection 1 60 provides; for flexibility in. the stacls of seals see that the, bundle may be readily inserted in: the magazine while at the same time facilitating the-withformof seal and the resulting package of seals are described. and claimed in the United States Patents Nos. 2,062,098 and 2,062,099, gnanted on Noi vember 2.4, 1936, on applications of. Chester M. MacChesney.

When a seal of the type illustrated Fig, 3

is applied to overlapping strap ends bytheapparatus of thepresent invention, the backwall 60 of the seal overlies the end portion 21 of. the

strapand the jaws of. the sealing apparatusare adapted; to bend the side walls '50P downwardly and inward-1y so. that they underlie and contact with the lower end portion Zleof the strap; As

is located in close proximity to and preferably in substantial alignmentwith one end.- of the back The" is-thatof shearing the lateral edges of the strap end's and the seal along; parallel lines-Bil as shown inzFig; 2; thus forming cutswhich extend through .themargins of theseal and through the marginal portionsof thestrapends'. The cuts'are arranged in pairs andxthe jaws are adapted to deflect the metal between the-cuts of each pair downwardly sufficiently ductile to permit them to be bent about the strap-ends-andto retain=theirform after being bent.

be engaged by the hand of the operator,

The seals are supplied to the sealing head from a vertical seali storage magazine 65 which is mounted-on the horizontal flange 25 of the base plate, previously referred to, as" shown in Figs. 1 and; 15, and which is: secured. to the vertically extending web' or flange 25 of the frame structure bymeansof a screw 66 which passes through the back wall of the magazine and alsoathrou'gh a lug 61* formed cnthe end of a housing 611 whichcontains themechanism by which seals are, fed from the lower end of the magazine to the; sealing head; hereinafter described; Theframemember Z5' which thus'supportsthe magazine 65 is provided atts ends with bosses25 in-which are secured the vertical arms of aihandle I10 which is of inverted 'u-shape form having a horizontalv portion 10* adapted'to This handle is located ina vertical plane parallel to drawal of the lowermost seal from the-stack at each operation of the sealing apparatust 'lhis the plane in which the handle 45 movesand isvs'o .positionedw that the entire apparatus may be picked up with one hand and will. retain itself in a balanced position while being moved about. Thehandle lit may also beengaged by one hand of the operatorforholding the apparatuswhile using the other hand to. manipulate one of the operating levers. Themagazine terminates somewhat below and forwardly of the handle H! l and is provided in its forward wall with a vertical slot 65's through which access may be had tothe stack ofseals on locatedztherein. At the lower end of the magaine, the flange 25 of. the base plate is. providedwith an inwardly extending notch 25 which permits access to-the lowermost seal of the stack in case it is desired. to remove all of the seals from the magazine.

The seals are held inplace in the magazine and move downwardly therein by means of a: springactuated retaining member 1 t constructed in the form of a hollow metal body of U-shaped horizontal cross section.- provided along its lateral edges with flanges llawhich areadapted to fit between the front and the rear walls of the magazine and provided at its: upper end with a curved handle 'H adaptedto be engaged by the fingers of the operator. A split pin. 12 extends between the side walls of the member H whilch arealso secured togetherby a rivet 13*. A fiatspring 14 is secured to and wound aroundthe split pin 12 between the side Wallsof the member 'H- and lower end is secured around a pin 15- which extends between the front and rear walls of the magazine; The adjacent end wallof the'maga- .zine is provided at its upper end with a notch 65 which permits the spring, when extended, to be passed through this slot so that the retaining member H may be tilted out of the magazine to the position shown in Fig. 1, thus allowing the operator to insert a package of seals into the magazine. The side walls of the retaining member H are preferably flared downwardly and outwardly on their inner sides, as shown at 1|, in Fig. 15, so that they conform to the flare of the side walls of the seals and fit over the side walls of the uppermost seal in the stack. When the retaining member 1| is in place in the magazine, the coil spring wound around the split pin '12 serves to assist the force of gravity in moving the member H downwardly so that the lowermost seal of the stack is maintained in contact with the flange 25 which constitutes the bottom wall of the magazine.

The movable head Bil which receives the seals from the magazine 65 and applies them to the overlapping strap ends, comprises a hollow frame or housing 8| made up oftwo complementary side plates or frame sections 81 and 8" which are secured together by the screws 82 and the cap screw 83, as shown particularly in Fig. 7. The side plate 81' has undercut grooves or guideways 8| formed therein, as shown in Fig. 4, to receive the oppositely directed flanges 65 which are formed integrally with the magazine 65. The frame or housing of the movable head is thus mounted to slide vertically toward and from those portions of the overlapping strap ends -which extend across the gap 25-between the flanges 25 and 25 of the base plate. The side plates 8! and 8 l of the sliding frame 8| are pro-' vided with opposed grooves in their inner faces forming a vertical passage 8| of rectangular cross section in which the plunger 84 has a sliding This plunger is adapted to be moved vertically by the mechanism. hereinafter described, and is arranged to actuate the sealing jaws 85 which are shown particularly in Figs. 12, 13 and 14. These jaws are pivotally mounted on pins 86 which extend between the side plates 8V and 8! of the head and they are adapted to be moved about their pivots by a pair of links 81 through which they are connected with the plunger 84. This plunger is of the form shown particularly in'Figs. 4, 11 and 12, comprising a pair of parallel plates or flanges 84 connected by a central web 84 which has a shorter vertical. dimension than the flanges 84 thus leaving a slot which is engaged by the upper ends of the links 81. The upper ends of these links are secured to the side flanges 84 of theplunger by a pin 88 which has its head counter-sunk in one of the side flanges 84*, as shown in Fig. 9, with its ends adapted to engage the s de plates of the hollow frame 8| during relative vertical movement of the plunger within the head. The lower end of each link 81 is pivotally connected to the upper arm of one of the jaw members 85 by means of a pin 89, the ends of these pins being arranged to slide vertically within and to be retained against endwise movement by the side plates M and Bl of the head. Since the links 81 overlap each other at their upper ends where they are engaged by the pin 86. a washer 90 is provided on each pin 89 at one side of the connected link 8'! to fill in the space between the lower end of the link and the opposite portion of the jaw member 85 to which it is connected. as shown in Fig. 14.

Each jaw member 85 is made up of a plurality of plates or laminations 85 comprising three bending dies and two alternately arranged cutting or shearing dies 85. All of these dies 01' plates are engaged by the pivot pins 86 on which the jaw members are mounted, and the laminations of each jaw are prevented from having relative angular movement about these pivot pins by other pins 9| which engage registering apertures in the laminations and which abut at their ends against the side plateslll and Bi of the head. The two outer laminations 85 of each jaw are extended upwardly beyond the other laminations to form arms 85 which extend on opposite sides of the links 81 and the washers 56. -The bending dies 85' of each jaw are provided at their lower ends with under cut portions 85 located above the projecting hook portions 85 and these hook portions 85 terminate in registering projections 85 which are adapted to receive and support the edges of the side walls 66 of one of the channel-shaped seals Gil when this seal is fed from the magazine 65 to a position between the jaws, as shown in Fig. 12. The cutting or shearing dies 35 which are fixed against relative angular movement with respect to the bending dies in each jaw member, are provided at their lower ends with cutting or shearing edges 85 which are spaced inwardly from and between the projecting hook portions 85 of the adjacent bending dies. With this arrangement, upon relative angular movement of the two jaws 85 about their pivot pins 86, the bending dies 85 are adapted first to bend the side walls of the seal downwardly and inwardly about the overlapping strap ends, as shown in Fig. 14, with the edges of the strap and seal extending into the under cutrecesses 85 and with the completion of this bending movement, the cutting edges 85 of the shearing dies come into action to shearing lateral edges of the strap and seal to form the type of interlocking joint shown in Fig. 2.

In order to hold a seal in engagement with the projections 85 of the opopsite jaws during the operation of moving the seal from, the elevated position shown in Fig. 12 to the position shown in Fig. 13, whereit rests upon the overlapping and it is provided on its opposite sides with concave surfaces 93 which conform generally, but not exactly, to the arcuate surfaces 85 which are formed on the laminations of the jaws 85 concentric with the axes of the pivot pins 86 on which the jaws are mounted. A clearance 94 is thus provided between the saddle'member 93 and the opposite curved faces of the jaws which permits .some relative movement vertically of the saddle member betweenthe jaws, although the jaws retain the saddle member in place between the side plates of the head. The lower face 93 of the saddle member is adapted to engage the upper side of the back wall of the seal 60 and the upper face of this member is pro- 96 formed in the lower part of the supporting member 96 which extends between the side plates 81 and 8| of the head, as shown particularly egavsrzes inFigsMSl and; 12; beingzsecuredi impositiomby the. previously described. bolt-1 or' can screw: 8'3 which has a threaded extremity. engaging. a

threaded aperture. the side plate; M3 1 and which is provided, at-itsother end? with: at head 83 overlapping the locking" plate 91: winch; is

engaged by this stud. and whiclrenters notches in the projecting ends of the pivot pinslfifi asishown in Fig. 8;. These pins 816'. have their heads counter-sunk inthe outer facecf thesideplate 811i and the plate 9?. thus retains them-l position.

With the arrangement thus described, the springs 95x force the saddle 93 downwardly when the head is in its extreme. upperpos-iti'on'. andithe jaws 85 are spread" apart, as shown in: Fig. 121, so that when a seal Bil is fed from the magazine into aposition between the jaws fig by the mecha ni'sm hereinafter described; the saddleememher' is forced with a resilient pressure-against. the back wallof the seal sothat theedges 'of its=side=walls 613 are pressed against the projections 85 of p the jaws; thusholdingtheseal firmlyin position while r the head 89 is being lowered to position the seal on the overlapping strap ends; as shown-in Fig. i 1 3. During the subsequent relative move ment of thejaws for the purpose of bending the side walls of theseal about the overlappin gstrap ends and deforming the edges of the strap and seal to provide: an interlocking joint the saddle member 93 is adapted to move upwardly a limited extent, due to-the presence of thecleare ancesfit so that thesea'land theoverlapping strap endsare permitted to adjust themselves vertically against the compression or the springs was the jaws move about their pivots and complete the formation of the joint. It willbe observed that the downward movementjlof the plunger 81 is limitedby its engagement with the supporting member 96 which is mounted; upon the stud. B3,

thus also limiting the relative pivotali movement 'of thejawsyfifi as they. close in uponeach other to deform' the seal and the enclosed. strap ends.

The downward movement ofthe plunger 84 is opposedbytwo coil springs. 100 whichare secured at' their lower ends to a transverse pin llll ex.-

tending through the lower part of the central web'fid asshown in-Figs 12'and 14;. The upper endsofthese springs'are secured to a. crossbar I62 which has downwardly turned extremities the car: 8115.. Theashafih T11R18; adapted. toztu rmiin its.-. hearings fbrr the purpose of efl'ectin'g: vertical movement onthe plunger 8.4: in the frame at of the head; and italso serves-as the means through which a-:. vertical motiorr. is'imparted. to: the head independently of; the. movementof the plunger.

'llhe head? 8H; isydirectly supported. by a tilting. trame Hi1 comprising a pair of: side memlters Lille connected byla transverse web. llfllh asshowmparticularly in Figs. 4i; T and 9'. The sidemembers mils are provided'i with apertures which are fitted by the portion l 05 'of the shaft I UE a-nd by the projecting portion of thebushing 06, sothat a swingingmpv-ement oftheframe l B' I 'is adapted to raiseor lower the l'lead fifl and its frame M The si dexmembers til T of the tilting frame" extend on opposite sides of and 'incontact with the ears 55 i? and t i ofthe frame and; at their other ends they are adapted to receive between: them:- the upper end of a pivotedsupporting member F It.

The supportingmember IH1 comprises-a'plate Hi extending between the side plates Hu and provi-dfed at its upper endwith a boss i ifl' in which 3 there is'jour-n aled an elongated bushing o-rfhollow pin H S which is, in turn J'ourn'aled in apertures formed in theside-plates ill'i ofthe tiltingfi'ame i0 1 The bushing PM is secured in place hyyaset screw t2 which engages a threaded'aperture in a looser M0 formedon the supporting member H0 and engaging, at its inner end, an annulargroovc I i-l formed inthe bushing III; as shown pan ticula-rly-idFigs; 4*. v anezo. The tilting frame H) is thus capable; of" pivotal movement about the upper end of the supporting member H0.

' The-lower end of thesupporting member. I Hlis provided with a boss or hub portionfflllshaving apivotal engagernent with a pinoraxle l [3,.which has its outer end fitting within an aperture formed in: afiange' 25 extending upwardlyv from thebase-plateandwhich hasits other endmounted in a boss 2s which extends forwardly from the upright frame portion 25 of the. baseplate,

assliown in. Fig. 10'. A set screw H1 engages the secured in the upper end of the side plate. s1

of the head.v After the plunger has been moved downwardly within the frame]!!! of the head, with a, resultin closing of the jaws uponjl the. seal,

thefe rtendedsprings 100. will tend. to return the plunger 84 to its upper position with a resulting separation of thelower. portions of thej awsand this action of. the springs is supplemented. hyjthe positive operating mechanism. hereinafter de scribed. which actuates. the plunger through. the

rack. bar M formed on the vertical face thereof boss ZE and enters an annular groove l LII inrthe pin-oraxle to prevent endwise movement thereof.

it washer H5. is mounted on the pin between: the outer face of the supporting member llilflyand the With the foregoing.arrangement; supportmg member llfl'; is adaptedto pivot about the pin 1| F3 and'the tilting framev IE1. is adaptedfto pivot about the bushing or hollow pin. l ill. toallowthe frame 81 oi the head. to moreverticallytoward and from theoverl'apping strap.- ends. After the .member. llfl has swungtoward. thelett, asviewed inIigs. 1 and '7', and theirarne. Hi1. hlasfswung downwardly toposition the seal 60. carried by the head-i ontheoverljapping strap ends, the shaftJUB is adapted. to. be turned. to cause the pinion H15 tolmovetheplunger Mldownwardly... All of.-these and arrangedrtol move vertically inthe sloth-l operations, and the. corresponding reverse movements,v are adapted totbe effected. by a sealing lever I20 whichis mountedonrthe end of the shaft [.05 to swing in. a. vertical. plane parallel to. a. vertical. plane containingthe axis of the strap. The lever. 1.210. is providedwitlia hub. portion. 112m which. isjournaled. uponthe forward extremity of the shaft H15, as illustrated iii-Fig. e. The

shaft at. this point is recessed to provides, plural;-

ity oflongitudinally extending ribs; I05 shown particularly. in; Fig; 22;. which are spaced apart circumferential-1y or the. shaft and which are adapted to receive. between them a plurality of longitudinally extending; splinesor keys 1'20.

' the locking plate into the aperture I20 which are formed within the bore of the hub I20 of the lever I20. When the lever I20 is released from the tilting frame I01, as hereinafter described, the ribs I05 of the shaft are adapted to coact with the keys or splines I on the lever to form a driving connection between the lever and the shaft which is made use of in effecting a downward movement of the plunger 84 and a corresponding closing movementof the jaws 85 at the time of effecting the sealing operation.

Another driving connection between the lever I20 and the shaft I05 is provided for permitting the turning of the shaft by the lever to separate the jaws at the conclusion of the sealing operation, it being apparent that this reverse operation can not be effected by the ribs I05 and the keys or splines I20 because of the lost motion between these parts upon the movement of the lever I20 toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 1.' The means for establishing this additional locking connection comprises a locking plate I2I mounted on an extremity of the shaft I05 and seating against the outer face of the hub portion I20 of the lever.

This locking plate and the lever are secured on the shaft by a nut I22 which engages the threaded extremity I05 of the shaft and seats against a washer I22 where it is secured byv a set screw I 23.

The locking plate I2I is of pear-shape form, the projecting arm thereof being provided with an aperture I2I of sufficient size to receive one rounded extremity of a locking pin I24 which occupies a cylindrical passageway I20 extending through the hub of the lever. On the inner side of the hub of the lever, another locking plate I 25 is journaled upon the projecting end of the bushing. I06 andsecured to the face of the adjacent tilting frame I01 by means of a pin I26, as illustrated. particularly in Fig. 20. The plate I25 is provided with a recess I25 adapted to register with the passageway I 20 in the hub of the lever.

The recess I25 is adapted to receive the inner semi-spherical extremity of the locking pin I24 and, like the recess or aperture I2 I its walls are.

tapered so that pressure exerted on the adjacent end of the pin by relative movement of the lever and the locking plate in which the aperture is formed, will tend to wedge the pin I24 away from The locking plate I 2 I is held against rotation with respect to the shaft I05 by the engagement of the extremities I 05 of the keys or splines I05 formed on the shaft with keyways I2 I which are formed in the locking plate, as shown in Fig. 24. When the locking pin I 24 is moved outwardly to engage the recess I 2I in the locking plate I2I, a driving connection is established between the lockin plate and the lever I20 so that movement of the lever will then operate through the locking plate I 2I to turn the shaft I05 in its bearings. When the locking pin I24 is moved inwardly so that its inner end'engages the recess I25 in the locking plate I25, mounted toswing with the tilting frame I01, the outer end of the pin will be out of engagement with the recess I2 I a and the lever I20 may then swing about its pivot without turning the shaft I 05, This locking connection formed by the pin I24 is made use of only for rotating the shaft I05 to separate the jaws, but it is established in the course of the movement of the lever toward the left in Fig. 1 before the jaws have been closed upon each other.

The lever I20 and its hub I20 are provided with an integral depending flange I20 of arcuate shape, and on the face of this flange there is formed an integral lug or boss I20 havingadjustably mounted therein, a threaded stud I21 which is secured in adjusted position by a lock nut I28. The end of this stud beyond the nut I28 is adapted to engage a hard metal stop member I29 which is secured in a projecting flange 8 I formed f on the side plate 8 I of the head. When the lever I20 is swung downwardly and toward the right, as

viewed in Figs. 1 and 19, the stud I21. is adapted the extreme upper position of the head 80 may be precisely located so that it'will properly receive a seal from the magazine due to the actuation of the seal feeding mechanism, hereinafter .described.

The lever I20 is provided adjacent the righthand margin of the flange 120 as viewed in Fig. 19, with a lug I20 having a flat lower face adapted to engage a projecting lug I01 formed on the tilting frame I01. After a predetermined movement of the lever I 20 from the position shown by dotted lines in'Fig. 19 to'the position shown by full lines in that figure, the lug I20 will engage the lugI 01 to cause a direct actuation of the tilting frame I01 by the lever in elevating the head 30 from its lower position. When the lever I20 is in the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 19, which corresponds to the position in which the shaft I05 has been actuated to lower the plunger 84 and effect relative movement of the sealing jaws 35, a boss I20 formed on the lever I20, substantially opposite the lug I20 will engage the surface Bl on the upper end of the flange 8H carried by the head, thus limiting the movement of the jaws 85 in closing upon each other and supplementing the action of the member 96 in engaging the lower end of the plunger 80 for this purpose, as heretofore described.

Assuming that the head'80 has been elevated, and that the lever I20 occupies its extreme righthand position, asshown in Fig. 1, and that it is desired to lower the head from the position shown in Fig. 1, it is necessary to establish a driving connection between the lever I20 and the tilting frame I 01 so that this frame may be swung about the hollow pin or bushing I I i and the supporting member I I0 moved forwardly about its pivot II3,

without causing rotation of the shaft I05 which actuates the jaws. This locking connection is normally established by a locking pin I30, shown particularly in Figs. 4, l0 and 20, which is mounted within the hollow pin or bushing II I. This pin is provided at one end with an enlarged cylindrical head I30 which is adapted to fit within a cup-shaped locking member I3I mounted in a recess in the inner face of the lever I 20. At its other end, the locking pin I 30 is provided with an enlarged cylindrical portion I30 which is located within the enlarged end I I I of the pin or bushing III which seats against the rear face of the tilting frame I01. The enlarged portion I30 of the locking pin has formed integrally therewith an annular flange I 30 constructed in the form of a double truncated cone. The end face I30 of the pin I30 normally occupies a position within and in proximity to the inner face of the vertical frame member 35 as shown in Fig. 4, and the flange I 30 then abuts against the enlarged end of the bushing III. When the pin I30 is in this position, the extremity I30 thereof engages the cup-shaped locking member I3I, as shown in Fig. 4, so that when the lever I20 is in Figs. 1 and T4, the tilting'frame I01 will be swung downwardly: about the bushing III and the supporting member I I will swing toward the. left, as viewed in Fig. 1,:about the pin H3. When thevlever I20 reaches a predetermined position, namely, the position corresponding to the lower position ofthe seal-ing head '80 which positions a seal on the overlapping strap ends, as shown in Fig. 13, one :of the annular inclined faces of. the.

flange I309 on the locking pm 130 engages the inclined face l33 iof a stationary 02.111133 which the lug I20 on the lever engages the lug 101 car- .ried by the tilting frame, as shown by full lines is secured to the frame member '25 by means of that the lever I is thenfree to move about its pivoton the shaft. I05 independently of the tilt ing frame I01 which then remains stationary during further movement of the lever I 20 in the same direction.

During the movement of the lever I20 toward 0 the vleft, as viewed inFig. l, to thelpointwhere] the. pin I30 moves out of engagement with the locking member I3I andinto engagement with the recess in the stationary frame member,

the locking pin I 24 in the hub of the lever occupies its inner position and the pin moveswithin the flat face-of the outer locking member III, but, whenthis point in the movement of the member I20 is reached, the pin +24 occupies a position in registry with the recess I-2-I in the locking plate I and, the lever 120 being then released by the locking pin 130, further pressure on the lever tending to move it toward the left causes the inner endof. the pin I24 to bewedged outwardly by the inclined annular face of the recess I25 in the inner locking plate I25. The

pin I24 then moves outwardly until the outer rounded end thereof engages tothe fullest exten-t therecess I2 l in the outer locking plate and the inner end of thevpin I24 will then move past the flat outer face of the inner plate I25. A driving connection is thusestablished between the lever I=20 andthe shaft 105 through the pin I-24 and the plate .I.2 I and, at the esame time, another driving connection is established between the lever I20 and the shaft through the splines I05? and the keys I20 Although the first of these connections could be employed alone for actuating the. jaws 05 if it were strong enough, this driving connection is established primarily for subsequently opening the jaws afterrthesealing opera- I tion has been completed and the second driving connection formed by. the splines I05 and the keys n1 is relied upon for transmittingto the shaft I05 the pressure which is exertedupon the lever I20 for elfec'ting relative movementof the bending. the lateral edges of the seal andthe enclosed strap ends. When this operation is completed, the lever I20. will. occupy the position shown bydotted lines in Fig. 19. with thelug I20 resting upon the upper surface 81 of the sta- 'tionary flange 8 I.

Upon reverse movement ofgthe lever I20 towardthe right, as viewed in Figs; andl19, there will be lost motion between the splines I05? and the keys 120 which will occuDy-the relative positionshown in Fig 19 and, during. this initial stageof the return movement, the locking connection established between the pin I24. andthe locking plate (I2I is relied upon for turning the I shown in Fig. -9, to the position shown in Fig. '7,

. (i0 jaws 85 during the operation of: shearing and I her I3I carried by the lever.

nection is not necessary tothe continued move shaft 105 and releasing the jaws 85 from the completed strap joint, an operation which is assisted by the action of the coil springs I00 .previously referred to. After a predetermined pivotalmovement of the lever I20 toward the right,

in Fig. 19, so that further movement in the same direction causes an elevation of the tilting frame HIT-about the hollowpivot pin or bushing III, thus elevating the head 80 from its lower position. At the beginning of this pivotal movement ofthe tilting. frame -I0-1, the pressureof the in-' clined face of the flange -I.on the locking ,pin

I I30 against the inclined face of the recess 25 in the stationary frame member will cause thepin I30 to be moved in a forward direction and into engagement with the cup-shaped locking memment-of the lever I20 toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 1, because of the continued enga ement of. thelugs l-20 and I01 butthe locking engage- .ment established by the pin I30 is formed in readiness for the succeeding forward motion of.

thelever I-20,.that -is, its succeeding motion toward the left; as viewed in Fig. 1.

The foregoing description of the construction;

and operation of the sealing mechanism hasnot taken into account the means by which. the

seals are fed from the magazine I to the seal- 1 s j ws. feeding bar or plunger I35 which is mounted to slide horizontally on the flange plate .-25 of the base plate or frame within a rectangular guideway 65!, shown in Figs. '7 and 16, formed in the lower wall 61 of the housing 51, previously referred to, which containsmost of the mechae nism by which the feeding of the seals is controlled. The feeding plunger is of substantially the same width as the back wall of one of the seals .60,as :shown in Fig. 15, the forward end thereof being provided with taperedsurfaces I35 which converge toward the end of the plung er and terminate in a transverse vertical end wall' I35 A small flange I35 projects toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 9, from the end of the plunger 'and this flange is so located andis of such dimensions that his adapted to project L over the top 'wall 60 0f the lowermost seal in the stack and;-to extend beneath the top wall of the next adjacent seal. When the plunger is moved towardthe right from the position shown in Fig. 9, it is adapted to move through rectangular apertures t5 which are formed in the' bottoms of theside walls 65 of the seal magazine and, in so. doing, the plunger engages and moves the lowermost seal of the. stack from the position I this direction is arrested by the engagement of I the end .ofthe seal with the projecting-portion 8I of thepside plate ll-I of the head, as illustrated in Fig. 17. After the seal has been fed to this position, the plunger. I35 is returned to its retracted position and the head 80 is lowered to place the seal over the overlapping strap ends. as

shown in Fig. 1.3 The plunger I35 is provided with alongitudinal groove I35 scthat whenit -.moves through the magazine in the process of feeding a seal, it will not catch on the next seal Ihis driving con-.

This seal feedingmeans comprises a a 

